A Texas Longhorns cheerleader holds up the "Hook 'em, Horns" symbol before their college football game against Texas A&M in Austin. A&M won 24-17.

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Texas will have Garrett Gilbert at quarterback with the departure of Colt McCoy to the NFL. Gilbert played most of the national championship game against Alabama and showed signs of being a capable replacement after a slow start.

Texas forward Gary Johnson, left, and Iowa State forwards LaRon Dendy, right, and Craig Brackins battle for a rebound during the first half of their Big 12 tilt in Kansas City, Mo. Johnson and the Longhorns triumphed 82-75.

The Texas Longhorns celebrate their 13-12 victory over the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Dec. 5 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. A last second 46-yard field goal by Hunter Lawrence saved the Big 12 championship for the Longhorns as well as a trip to the BCS national championship game against Alabama.

Texas kicker Hunter Lawrence boots the game-winning field goal for the Longhorns as time expires in the Big 12 championship game in Arlington, Texas. Lawrence's field goal lifted Texas to a 13-12 victory over Nebraska, likely booking the Longhorns a spot in the BCS title game on Jan. 7.

Texas Longhorns quarterback Colt McCoy is sacked by Ndamukong Suh of the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the first quarter of the game at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Longhorns managed a last-second field goal to beat the Cornhuskers 13-12.

Texas wide receiver Malcolm Williams grabs a touchdown pass in front of Oklahoma State cornerback Terrance Anderson in the Longhorns' 41-14 win over the Cowboys in Stillwater, Okla.

Texas head coach Rick Barnes has high expectations for his Longhorns this season. His squad lost in the second round of last year's NCAA tournament to Duke, but returns several key players and a top-notch recruiting class in hopes of making a run at this year's championship.

Damion James, a 6-7 senior, is a fan favorite after averaging nearly a double-double with 15.4 points and 9.2 rebounds a game last season.

This season, James will step into the role of team leader after the departure of A.J. Abrams.

"We can win a national championship," James says.

Junior Gary Johnson gives the Longhorns another strong presence in the paint. The 6-6 forward averaged 10 points and was second on the team behind James with 5.3 rebounds a game last season.

Meanwhile, Clint Chapman will again serve as a backup to those in the paint. The 6-10 junior offers valuable minutes off the bench, playing in 32 games last season in place of James, Johnson and Pittman in the blocks.

With Connor Atchley gone, Chapman will be looked upon to fill in for the big guys when they need a breather.

As for newcomers, the Longhorns have several that they hope can contribute early and often.

Avery Bradley, pictured, is a five-star guard that could break into Texas' starting lineup before the conference season.

Jordan Hamilton is another incoming freshman that a highly coveted recruit coming out of high school and could give the Longhorns additional firepower.

At point guard, the Longhorns will bank on Dogus Balbay, here getting upended against Kansas last year.

Balbay averaged over three assists a game last year despite only starting 13 games. But he will have some help coming to the backcourt ...

Swingman Justin Mason is also back for his senior campaign after tallying 6.1 points and 3.7 rebounds a game last season. He was also second on the team in steals with 38 and led the team in assists.

Jai Lucas will join Balbay in the backcourt after fall semester exams since he transfered to Texas from Florida last December.

Lucas started every game for Florida his freshman year and averaged 8.5 points a game and hit over 43% of his three-point attempts.

In addition to James and Johnson in the paint, the Longhorns also get big man Dexter Pittman. The 6-10, 290-pound senior averaged over 10 points and five rebounds a game a year ago.

More importantly, he shot nearly 62% from the field, giving Texas a consistent option below the basket.

LSU players thank fans after beating the Texas Longhorns 11-4 in the final game of the the College World Series in Omaha. The Tigers took the NCAA baseball championship for the first time in nine years and the sixth time in program history.

The Texas Longhorns celebrate their win with fans after defeating the LSU Tigers 5-1 in Game 2 of the College World Series finals in Omaha and forcing a third and final game in the series to decide the title.

Texas Longhorns wide receiver Brandon Collins dives into the end zone ahead of Texas A&M Aggies cornerback Danny Gorrer in the second quarter of the Longhorns' 49-9 thrashing of their in-state rivals.

Former Oklahoma football player Joe Washington autographs a football before the Legends in Sports dinner in Bixby, Okla. The dinner comes days before the Sooners and Texas Longhorns clash in the Red River Rivalry game.

Erneisha Bailey goes up between Kansas' Shaquina Mosley, front, and Sade Morris during their game in Austin. Mosley hit a layup in the final second to give the Jayhawks a 50-49 road win.

Texas’ Kevin Durant hugs his father, Wayne Pratt, after being named Associated Press college basketball player of the year in Atlanta. Durant is the first freshman to receive the honor.

Texas forward Kevin Durant gets a pat from his mother, Wanda Pratt, after he announced he would forego his senior year to enter June's NBA draft.